QPR's WBA Hammering - Additional Match Reports Compilation

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The Times - QPR in need of major overhaul - Adrian Milledge

West Bromwich Albion moved to within a point of top place in the Championship by brushing aside the club bought by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. By purchasing Queens Park Rangers, Briatore, the managing director of Team Renault, and Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster, look as if they have taken on a club that is not so much in need of fine-tuning but an overhaul. The only club in the land without a victory, QPR are propping up the Championship.

John Gregory, the QPR manager, was good-natured in response to the chants from West Bromwich fans of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and is confident that he will be given time. “I’ve had conversations with Flavio about how to improve the squad,” he said. “There’s no time limit on it. In the past people have got votes of confidence and been gone the following week. I trust him and believe he’s a man of his word.”

Whether Briatore remains as benevolent once he watches the DVD of an abject display by QPR remains to be seen. Gregory attributed it to his team’s lack of confidence and an exceptional display by a West Bromwich team who lack a reverse gear.

Their inability to shut up shop was evident when Gareth Ainsworth poked home Dexter Blackstock’s headed assist to halve Albion’s early advantage. Ishmael Miller and Kevin Phillips had been involved in both goals, the former setting up the latter for the first before the roles were reversed. Phillips followed up with a superb chip over Lee Camp before Robert Koren and Jonathan Greening scored with similarly spectacular efforts. The Times

The Guardian - Albion's swagger pushes Gregory closer to the brink
David McVay at The Hawthorns

Fining Stan Collymore for not attending training sessions and guiding Aston Villa to the summit of the Premiership (for a week in October 2001) - when the next football chairman comes to review John Gregory's managerial CV, he will see that it reveals some notable, if infrequent, achievements. The problem for Gregory is that such scrutiny seems certain to come sooner rather than later after the Queens Park Rangers manager suffered a desperate defeat against West Bromwich Albion here yesterday.

With a takeover by the formula one magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone imminent, rumours suggested that Gregory has been keeping the seat warm for one of a succession of potential candidates invited to Loftus Road in recent weeks.
Gregory himself remained upbeat despite this latest, emphatic, failure to secure a first win of the season and a performance befitting a side out of form and out on a limb at the bottom of the Championship. Another reverse at Colchester United on Wednesday night may see his borrowed time, rightly granted for avoiding relegation last May, running out.

"I have been talking to Flavio and we have not put a time limit on it [investing in the squad] but you have to believe everything they tell you," said Gregory. "I have put a lot of trust in him and I have to believe he is a man of his word. But as you know, people get votes of confidence and the following week they have gone."

For Albion's manager, Tony Mowbray, the future is more certain after the West Midlands club edged into second place, as the leading scorers in all four divisions with 18 goals.

Albion were thrashed 5-2 by Cardiff City in the Carling Cup in midweek, and seven changes from that team yesterday revealed his priorities. A belief that attack can be the best form of defence is reminiscent of Ron Atkinson's Albion era of the "Three Degrees" in the late 1970s when a buccaneering style inspired by Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham drew admiration from supporters and purists alike.

In today's more stifling environment, Mowbray has attracted criticism from those who prioritise clean sheets but the nature of this victory more than vindicates his attacking policy.

True, QPR were about as resilient as Liz Taylor's mascara, but Albion competed with a fluency and purpose that augurs well for a sustained promotion push without having to resort to the play-offs, in which they failed against Derby County in the final last season.

Mowbray was not entirely satisfied, however. "There are areas that need improving," he said. "Out of possession, I thought we were poor in the first half. We can't allow the opposition as much time with the ball. But generally I can't complain too much when we have won 5-1."

The partnership of the veteran Kevin Phillips and the fledgling forward Ishmael Miller, on loan from Manchester City, was pivotal to their supremacy and when Miller eluded his marker once more in the 17th minute, his low centre was steered in by Phillips. The favour was reciprocated within a minute when Phillips released Miller, who squeezed the ball beneath the goalkeeper Lee Camp for 2-0. When Gareth Ainsworth bundled a response over the line, QPR hinted that they might make a decent fist of it.

That notion was swiftly killed off when Phillips demonstrated a touch of class and craft by curling a clever finish above and beyond Camp six minutes before half-time. It was his 28th Albion goal in his 50th appearance. Effectively game over, then, but a one-way procession directed at the QPR goal ensued and the wonder was how West Brom contrived to score only twice more. Robert Koren made amends for earlier profligacy with a cracking volley into the roof of the net and another volley, this time from Jonathan Greening's left foot, concluded the scoring.

"Come January if we are in a good position, I'm sure Flavio will want to spend and add to the squad," said the optimistic Gregory. "I gather he got a few points with Renault [in the Japanese GP] today so he was happy until about a quarter past one. He wants to win." Another pit stop like this one, though, and more than just the tyres may be changed.

Man of the match Kevin Phillips

A close call over Ishmael Miller as both strikers ran riot against a woeful QPR. Veteran forward Phillips may have lost a yard of pace but not his immaculate touch and eye for goal, as well as the ability to create space and chances for colleagues.

Best moment His 39th minute curled chip to make it 3-1 simply oozed class. Guardian


The Independent - Phillips' pair pushes Gregory to brink of exit - By David Instone

If West Bromwich Albion again miss out on promotion this season, it is unlikely to be down to a shortage of goals. Last season's losing play-off finalists went second by taking a heavy toll yesterday of opponents whose manager, John Gregory, faces an uncertain future amid the impending change of ownership.

Queen's Park Rangers remain the only club in all four divisions without a victory, while Albion are now the country's top scorers after Ishmael Miller and Kevin Phillips found this the perfect stage on which to impress. Separated by the small matter of 14 years and 427 senior appearances, they may initially appear the classic combination of brawn and guile. There is much more than hired muscle, though, about the 20-year-old junior partner, who had found his way sufficiently blocked at Manchester City to be loaned out for the season.

He is a major threat with the ball on his left foot and in his stride and disturbed Rangers greatly throughout, making one and scoring one in the space of 60 seconds just past the quarter-hour. "Play the ball into them and it sticks," said the Albion manager, Tony Mowbray, of his strikers. "Kevin is at the front of everything in training and gets his rewards on the field. He's the shining example of practising good habits."

Phillips had already seen Damion Stewart deny him one tap-in from his colleague's approach work and Martin Rowlands cleared his shot off the line before he turned in from two yards after Miller again surged past Zesh Rehman. The compliment was returned when Rangers were caught awfully square for Miller to race on to Phillips's pass and slot under the advancing Lee Camp.

Even in this scintillating performance, Albion also showed their dreamier side, one of several switch-off moments enabling Gareth Ainsworth to slide in at the far post after Dexter Blackstock nodded back Rowlands' free-kick.

The comfortable cushion was re-established before the break through Phillips's nonchalant, high-class, right-foot curler when picked out by Jonathan Greening in the corner of the area and there was any number of near misses before the job was completed by the three-quarter mark.

First, the stylish Robert Koren lashed left-footed into the roof of the net after Camp saved from the clean-through Phillips. Then Greening, also on his weaker foot, bettered it by smacking a first-time volley beyond a shell-shocked keeper from 25 yards.

Gregory subsequently ran the gauntlet of taunting Albion fans, but has been told he will have the chance to shape the side's future. "You just have to believe what people tell you," he said. "We found it very difficult to live with Albion and are not bristling with confidence." The Independent


The TELEGRAPH - Phillips piles pressure on QPR's John Gregory - By Phil Shaw

Like a Championship version of Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, Kevin Phillips and Ishmael Miller summoned contrasting but complementary attributes to steer West Bromwich Albion into second place in the Championship and leave Queens Park Rangers rooted to the bottom without a win.

Phillips, the 34-year-old former England forward, stands only 5ft 7in yet has a predator's poise after more than 450 senior games. Miller, 14 years his junior and eight inches taller, is proving a fast learner in the target-man's trade after arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Rangers found the duo unplayable, their collapse increasing the pressure on manager John Gregory.

Albion's senior strike partner struck twice in the first half to raise his tally for the club to 28 in 50 appearances. His powerful foil, who did not score in 20 outings for City, now has five goals in seven games for Albion. Their manager, Tony Mowbray, hailed Phillips' professionalism, trusting it would rub off on Miller. But given his team's position, he was surprisingly downbeat, saying: "There are still areas that need improving. Out of possession, we were poor in the first half."

Under-fire Gregory is still waiting for the takeover by Formula One tycoons Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone to be completed, but hopes to be around to sign the reinforcements Rangers need to bridge "the gulf in class you saw today".

Phillips began the rout after 17 minutes by sweeping the ball in after Miller left Zesh Rehman trailing before crossing. Within 50 seconds, Phillips released Miller through to finish with aplomb.

Rangers retaliated swiftly when Gareth Ainsworth slid in to score. Last season they came from 3-1 down to take a point at the Hawthorns, but any hopes of a similar recovery were dashed by further Albion goals either side of half-time. Miller was again involved in the prelude to Phillips' second, with Lee Camp unable to do more than parry his brutal shot. The ball ran outside the area to Jonathan Greening, who found Phillips unmarked and with time to chip nonchalantly over the keeper.

Camp saved heroically to deny Phillips a hat-trick, but when Danny Cullip headed the loose ball clear under pressure from Miller, Robert Koren returned it with interest, his 15-yard volley tearing into the net. Greening then bludgeoned Albion's fifth from 25 yards. Telegraph


DAILY MIRROR - OUT OF GAS
QPR running on empty as Baggies roar on West Brom 5 QPR 1
Flavio Briatore is not used to being left on the starting grid - but his investment at QPR is stuck in neutral and is in dire need of a change of driver.

Briatore was in Japan watching Heikki Kovalainen his Renault driver pick up seven points for finishing behind Lewis Hamilton.

That is more points than his QPR manager John Gregory has collected all season and this latest embarrassment was the equivalent of a Grand Prix between a Ferrari and a Skoda.

West Brom cruised through the gears and lapped their woeful opponents to roar into second place in the Championship as Gregory had to listen to the taunts of Albion supporters singing "You're getting sacked in the morning."

Certainly Briatore and co-owner Bernie Ecclestone, who are close to completing their takeover, are not used to losing and as hard-nosed businessmen, know that their hefty investment at Loftus Road cannot run the risk of remaining with Gregory for much longer.

Despite retaining the support of the vast majority of fans for his efforts to keep the team up last season, Gregory looks like a boss who has run out of petrol and even though he feels he has the backing of Briatore, he knows that could be withdrawn at any time.

"There is no time limit on it. In the past people have had votes of confidence and have gone the following week, but you have to believe in people," said Gregory.

"I trust him and believe he is a man of his word. He wants to move the team forward and I am sure he wants to invest. We have to, because there was a gulf in class today."

Briatore's team are a shambles and were put to the sword by Kevin Phillips and Co as the Championship's great entertainers put on another five-star show.

Phillips marked his 50th appearance for the club by helping himself to two more goals to take his Albion tally to 28, to show he has lost no appetite for his job at 34.

"He is the complete professional. Whatever we do in training - running, shooting, passing, defending - he is right at the head of it all," said boss Tony Mowbray.

"He never hides for a second and that is why he gets such good results on the field. He is the shining example to all of my players. We created a lot of chances, could have had more goals and it is hard to be too critical after winning 5-1."

Ishmael Miller, the kid on loan from Manchester City, added more members to his growing fan club with another powerful run and finish as Rangers' defence went missing again, after Phillips had converted from close range.

And no sooner had Gareth Ainsworth given Rangers brief hope sliding in at the far post, Phillips curled a gorgeous second goal when given the freedom of the penalty area. Wonderful volleys from Robert Koren and Jonathan Greening stretched Albion's lead to demonstrate their total superiority and it would have been a bigger winning margin, but for some excellent saves by Lee Camp and referee Andy D'Urso's decision to rule out a perfectly good goal from substitute Craig Beattie.

Worryingly for Gregory and the rest of the Championship, Mowbray was still not satisfied and believes his team still have room for improvement. That is a scary thought for all their promotion rivals this season. Mirror

WBA Official Site - Mowbray: 'We Can Still Improve'
TONY Mowbray was delighted to see his side storm up to second with a 5-1 thrashing of QPR - but insisted: "We can still improve."
The Baggies boss watched the hosts maintain their perfect home league record as a Kevin Phillips double and goals from Ishmael Miller, Robert Koren and Jonathan Greening made it four wins out of four.
The resounding victory in front of a packed Hawthorns crowd and the live Sky cameras also saw Albion finish unbeaten in the Championship during September.
But Mowbray was not entirely satisfied.
"There were areas that need improving," he said.
"We were poor when we weren't in possession in the first-half.
"We can't allow the opposition as much time with the ball.
"I was pleased with the players on the ball.
"We created plenty of opportunities and showed good willingness to get on the ball and play.
"Generally, I can't complain too much because we won 5-1."
The Baggies dominated the match from start to finish.
But when Gareth Ainsworth made it 2-1 in the 24th minute, flashbacks of Rangers stealing a point in last season's 3-3 Hawthorns draw surfaced.
However, Mowbray believes the fact his side powered on to a convincing victory shows how much they have improved since that stalemate 11 months ago.
"I think we can improve on killing off games," he added.
"In the last 20 minutes, we put too much leg-work in for my liking.
"At 5-1 up you've got to rotate the ball around the pitch.
"You don't have to score every time you get it.
"You just need to keep the ball, let the opposition chase it and then things will open up.
"I thought we worked too hard in the last 20 minutes, especially as we've got a game on Wednesday.
"But that's all part of the learning curve and the education of footballers.
"Generally, it was okay.
"We've got quality players at the top end of the pitch who can score goals.
"But teams can score from a free-kick or a set-play and put pressure on you, like QPR did.
"If it had gone to 2-2, it would have been edgy.
"QPR got a 3-3 draw here last year and it was probably a similar type of game, so maybe it's a gauge of how far we've come.
"If you're Manchester United and 5-1 up, teams just surrender because United knock the ball around.
"We showed a bit of naivety at times when we just kept looking forward trying to score every time." WBA

See Also:

Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals - Match Report "QPR Run Ragged by Rampant Baggies

Simon Skinner/QPR Net - Match Report - "Come in Number 36 your time is up"

Earlier Reports and post-match comments re QPR's Loss to WBA